In Today’s readings we see two stories about the healing of lepers and in both cases the grateful persons were outside the Jewish community. This is a powerful teaching that affects every one of us. First let us remember that salvation comes from the Jews and in this case, the healing of this otherwise incurable disease comes from the Jews and spreads outside that community to the whole world.

I want us to look at this as a parable and that the similar situation of the incurable disease of sin. I think as Americans, this is a strange message for us because many of us, especially those born before Vatican II have a more legalistic view of sin. As one relative of mine once said, we never learned this mercy of God, we learned that God was to be feared. I often feel that the image of God many have is of the Wizard of Oz, the one not behind the curtain. He is the one who demands allegiance and screams and causes great fear. However, the God we believe in is embodied by Jesus who does everything He can to heal us and humanize us. He is daily healing us of all the forces that seek our destruction. A good question to ask is do we understand this?

The Samaritan gets it right away, Namaan the Syrian gets it right away and both immediately praise God. Do we get what God is doing in our life. Do we get that Jesus saves us and because of Him we are being formed to be fully human and fully alive. Do we get this? Are we thanking God that because of His action in our lives we will experience eternal life. However, He is healing us everyday.

I had a terrible experience happen to me a year ago. I won’t go into the details, I needed and still need to be healed of a terror that overcame me. I had to learn to trust in God completely. Something I learn everyday. However, there comes a point where you realize, no matter how much you try, you ultimately must trust in God. Once you reach that point, there is nothing more that you can do. But now you have to give yourself over to God and ask His assistance. That becomes a powerful moment.

This is the point that both Namaan the Syrian and the Samaritan come to, both recognize if not for the power of God, they would be lost in their leprosy. If not for the power of God, you would be lost in your sins. What is the power of God doing in your life today. Lots, most of which you don’t see. Some of it you do. You are here through the power of God, even though you feel it may be fully your choice. It is partially, but it is through the Holy Spirit working in your life that you are here and He is drawing you to his healing power. St. Paul reminds us to dedicate ourselves to thankfulness. Why, because of God’s mercy that is so powerful is working in our lives. As powerful as the healing of incurable lepers, so powerful is our healing from sin. As helpless is the leper to find a cure, so helpless are we from sin. However, once we realize that through God’s mercy we are being healed everyday. Then we can fall on our knees and be filled with thankfulness that through the action of God in our lives, you and I will experience eternal life. It is his mercy that works in our life. It is his mercy that is saving us. It is His mercy that is healing us. Are we thankful of this.

As St. John Vianney taught and was brought out during the end of the year of the priests at the Vatican: Our sins are like a grain of sand and God’s mercy is like a mountain. Let us be thankful everyday for that priceless gift. Let us be thankful for the sacraments especially Reconciliation where we find Christ’s healing for our sins and Eucharist where we receive His grace in our lives.

God Bless You,

Fr. Robert J. Carr

Fr. Carr is an alliance member of the New Song Community (Canção Nova). He is the pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Somerville, MA and is the editor of this blog. He is also the author of a blog directed specifically to priests. That can be found at thesacramentallife.blogspot.com